Plants for Japanese-style gardens

A Japanese-style garden can be created with Australian natives by selecting plants with properties similar to the traditional choices.

Groundcovers: #

Dichondra repens – in shade with summer water
Eremophila glabra (low compact form or Roseworthy form) – in dry sunny areas
E. serpens – in dry areas with filtered shade
E. biserrata, E. subteritifolia – in dry areas with sun or shade

Grasses: #

Poa labillardieri
Cymbopogon ambiguum – Scented grass

Ferns: #

Asplenium nudum – Birds’ nest fern in shade with summer water
Blechnum nudus – needs damp shade
Dicksonia antarctica – needs damp semi-shade

Strappy leaves: #

Dianella – many forms, some prefer dry shade, others more lush with summer water
Dietes robinsonia – in dappled shade, summer water
Diplarenna moraea – in dappled shade, summer water
Orthrosanthos polystachus – in dappled shade, summer water
Anigozanthos flavida – in sandy soil with summer water
Lomandra sp. – Most very hardy, some with very fine leaves e.g. “Tanika”, “Lime Wave”.

Small shrubs: #

Acacia cognata “Limelight”
Correa sp. – many forms which can be clipped, dappled shade or morning sun, some summer water
Baeckea sp. – some summer water, may be clipped
Eremophila drummondii – in dry sun
E. weldii – in dry sun, clip to shape
Grevillea thelemanniana – in sun, may be clipped
Syzigium “Little Trev”

Medium shrubs: #

Melaleuca huegelii (fine leaf form) – in sun, may be shaped
Correa alba – sun or semi-shade, keep clipped
Philotheca myoporoides – dappled shade, summer water, may be trimmed

Trees: #

Acacia cognata
Allocasuarina torulosa – good in group of vertical trunks, where room available
Callitris sp. – several forms and shapes
Hymenosporum flavum
Syzigium sp. – Many different types from small to large, some summer water

Feature Plants: #

Cycad sp.
Nymphaea sp. – in ponds

Where do I get plants from? #

Plants may be available from our Plants Sales.  Check our webiste in the week before the Adelaide Plant sale for a list of plants we are expecting to be available at the Adelaide Showgrounds Expo and Plants Sale.